County court created by the Texas constitution and presided over by the county judge.

Statutory County Courts

Courts that exercise limited jurisdictions over criminal and/or civil cases. The jurisdiction of these courts varies from county to county.

District Court

Primary trial court in Texas. It had jurisdiction over criminal felony cases and civil disputes.

Plea Bargaining

Procedure that allows a person charged with a crime to negotiate a guilty plea with prosecutors in exchange for a lighter sentence than he or she would expect to receive if convicted in a trial.

Court of Appeals

Intermediate-level courts that review civil and criminal cases from the district courts.

Texas Supreme Court

Nine-member court with final appellate jurisdiction over civil lawsuits.

Texas Courts of Criminal Appeals

Nine-member court with final appellate jurisdiction over criminal cases.

Grand Jury

Panel that reviews evidence submitted by prosecutors to determine whether to indict, or change, an individual with a criminal offense.

Prosecution

The institution and carrying on of legal proceedings against a person.

Indictment

Written statement issued by a grand jury charging a person with a punishable offense.

Information

A document formally charging an individual with a misdemeanor.

Petit Jury

The jury on which most people are likely to be called to serve is the trial jury.

Veniremen

Attorneys for both sides in a criminal or civil case screen the prospective jurors.

Peremptory Challenge

Allows attorneys to dismiss a prospective juror without having to explain the reason, and an unlimited number of challenges for cause.

Merit Selection

Proposal under which the governor would appoint state judges from lists compiled by committees of experts. Appointed judges would have to run later in retention elections to keep their seats but would not have opponents on the ballot.

Tort Reform

Changes in state law to put limits on personal injury lawsuits and damage judgments rendered by the courts.

Retention Elections

Elections in which judges run on their own records rather than against other candidates. Voters cast their ballots on the question of whether the incumbent judge should stay in office.

Ward Politics

Miranda Ruling

Far-reaching decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that requires law enforcement officers to warn a criminal suspect of his or her right to remain silent and to have an attorney present before questioning.

Nolo Contenders

Plea of "no contest" to a criminal charge.

Capital Murder

Murder committed under certain circumstances for which the death penalty or life in prison must be imposed.

Probation

Procedure under which a convicted criminal is not sent to prison if he or she meets certain conditions, such as restrictions on travel and associates.